Phyllis Jane Boese, 94, of Springfield, S.D., died June 10, 2024, at the Good Samaritan Home, Tyndall, S.D. She was born April 27, 1930, to William C. and Mary Frances (Adams) Thomas of rural Springfield.
She earned a bachelor’s degree from South Dakota State College in 1953 and a master of arts degree in library science from the University of South Dakota in 1976.
She married Glen L. Boese on Aug. 18, 1951. The young family moved to Chicago, where Glen attended seminary. In 1958 they returned to Springfield to take over part of the farm Glen’s father was working. In 1966, she started teaching home economics at Springfield High School. In the 1970s she spent some time as the head librarian for Freeman Junior College and Academy. Later she taught at Saint Mary’s School for Indian Girls in Springfield.
In 1984 Phyllis and Glen went to Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) under the the General Conference Mennonite Church Commission on Overseas Mission, Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission and Habitat for Humanity, returning in 1992. This was followed by four-plus years as full-time volunteers at Hopi Mission School, Kykotosmovi, Ariz. (now Peace Academic Center), where she ran the library. In 1997 they retired to an acreage west of Springfield.
After marriage she became a member of Friedensberg Mennonite Church (now Friedensberg Bible Church), Avon, S.D., to which she continued membership until her death. She was a strong woman of faith who served the Lord by serving others. She wisely cared for home and family healthfully and economically and enjoyed participating in church activities. Time with grandchildren included playing games, lessons in sewing or crafting, gardening, caring for chickens, picking apples or prepping fruits and vegetables for canning or freezing. In all ways, she demonstrated gentleness, patience and a delightful sense of humor.
She is survived by five children, Theodore (Cindy) of Sioux Falls, S.D., Thomas (Doreen) of Rockford, Ill., Dorothy (Jerry) Wood of Imperial, Neb., Vincent of Springfield, S.D., and Steven (Jan) of Ottawa, Kan.; 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Glen; and her brothers, George and Charles Thomas.
The family suggests contributions to Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission.